140 responses to “Mark Meckler’s CCW Arrest”

1. 

   D

   16 December 2011

   George, here’s some things that need to be considered in all this:
   As reported, Meckler was in NY since Dec. 11th, meaning he had brought the hand gun into NY and he had it in his possession while in NY for a number of days. Did Meckler also carry while in NY? All are in violation of NY gun laws.
   How did the hand gun get to NY? If Meckler took it into NY there are NY laws about that too.
   As anyone that has undertaken the California CCW permit classes and application review process knows having a Cali CCW permit doesn’t get you approved to have or carry in most every other state. The east coast states do not have CCW “reciprocity” with Cali.
   Some states have CCW permit “reciprocity” with other states, many don’t. Example… a Utah issued CCW permit is recognized by a number of others states and visa-versa. If you have a Utah issued CCW permit it is “recognized” by some other states, but not all.
   A California CCW permit has very limited “reciprocity” by other states. Below is a link to the California CCW “reciprocity” map for other states. Notice that a California CCW permit is not recognized by the eastern states.
   Taking the firearm into these states and carrying in these states is not permitted via a California issued CCW permit.
   Having a CCW permit comes with a whole lot of responsibility. Meckler did not meet his responsibilites as a CCW permit holder and it reflects poorly on others with CCW permits.
   Meckler took his firearm into NY, that was done with intent. I really doubt that Meckler was not aware of the NY firearms and CCW laws, so he did so with intent.
   Odds are Meckler will have his California CCW permit reviewed and revoked as a result of this… as it should be.
   Firearms are not toys and the rules we have for CCW permits must be followed. If we don’t like them, we change them, but they must be followed.
   I am a very strong support of gun rights. I’m a former Deputy Sheriff and former federal law enforcement officer. I want CCW and firearms laws revised in California as I think they over reach.
   Bottom line is this is no joke, Meckler is a lawyer and knew damn well what the NY gun laws were before he took the firearm into NY in the first place.
   So where was the firearm while Meckler was in NY?
   Meckler should have kept his mouth shut becasue his state that.. “The fun began when I declared it to the ticketing agent, and asked for the appropriate form, per procedure, from her. I’ve done this all across the country, more times than I can count”.
   So how many times did Meckler carry into other states illegally? Looks like Meckler has been violating gun laws in a number of states…”all across the country, more times than I can count”.
   Here’s the California CCW permit reciprocity map:
   http://www.youcancarry.com/california-ccw-reciprocity/

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2. 

   D

   16 December 2011

   George I posted the above post, but the new posting system didn’t show my name for some reason.
   Steve Enos

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3. 

   George Rebane

   16 December 2011

   SteveE – Because of some problems with the TypePad spam comments filter I’ve had to turn on the commenter sign-in feature as I mentioned in my last ‘Administrivia …’ post. It may be that the account you signed in with has you labeled as ‘D’. Anyway, that’s my best guess.
   TypePad has issued a notification that it is being attacked by a lot of spam comments, so I suppose they are working on their filters. They also seem to have stopped notifying blog owners via email when new comments arrive. This is a pain in the ass, because wanting to be responsive, I now have to log in to a special page to see the latest comments. Anyway, I hope this helps and thanks for your patience.

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4. 

   D

   16 December 2011

   So George, what are your thoughts about all this?
   What are your thoughts about Meckler stating… “I’ve done this all across the country, more times than I can count”. So what other states did Meckler transport his California CCW hand gun to? If it was any of the no California reciprocity states Meckler has been in violation in those states too.
   George, you and I and any California CCW holder knows damn well what the rules are about taking a CCW firearm from California to another state. It is well covered in the CCW classes and it’s well know to “gun folks”, plus Meckler is a lawyer to boot.
   Meckler has said he was in NY since Dec. 11th, thus all the time he was in violation of the NY guns laws.
   George, I’m a big A2 supporter but Meckler has violated the most basic law/requirments for holding a California CCW permit. This does not help the A2 cause, it hurts it. Meckler was not and is not a responsible CCW holder.
   Simple, Meckler failed to uphold his responsibilities as a California CCW permit holder and it hurts the rest of us. Meckler’s California CCW permit should be pulled and it most likely will.
   What are your thoughts on this George?

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5. 

   Todd Juvinall

   16 December 2011

   I think you should be praising Meckler as a person pushing the envelope for the Second Amendment. He should be allowed to possess and transport a weapon, and in this case and unloaded one locked in a TSA box and as he did alert the TSA to his weapon, without arrest. This is not 1935 Germany. So, rather than trashing him as you do in every post since the Tea Party began, you should support him.

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6. 

   Gregory

   16 December 2011

   Transporting a gun and ammo in a locked box that conforms to Federal TSA regs is not Carrying Concealed. It’s transporting, and possessing, but not Carrying Concealed. The apparent fact he has a CCW from California or any other state has nothing to do with it; you can drive through Frisco and check into SFO exactly the same way whether or not you have a CCW.
   If Meckler had this in the trunk of a car passing through NY and NYC on his way somewhere else I believe he’d have a pass under Federal law, as long as he didn’t remove it from the locked box.
   This could be interesting.

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7. 

   John Galt

   16 December 2011

   Under the Interstate Transfer of Firearms Act. (Title 19 sec 926a), This provision allows a citizen who is legally carrying his firearms across state lines as long as he does so properly, i.e., secured in a locked container and that possession of firearm is legal at both the point of origin and final destination. It has a “not withstanding” provision which negates any state or local laws for the purpose of interstate travel.
   With the number of laws we have on the books, the odds are that each of us has broken at least one law this month– we don’t even know it.
   Mr. Meckler reportedly has a CCW permit (or reciprocity) in 23 states. The gun was checked baggage and declared. Clearly he was not attempting to circumvent a law.
   –John Galt

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8. 

   D

   16 December 2011

   Seems you miss the legal issues Gregory.
   You see Meckler arrived in NY with his firearm on Dec. 11th and he failed to take the required action under NY gun laws. This is the violation of the NY guns laws.
   Meckler having a pistol in NY that was not permitted in NY is the issue, it’s not just a CCW issue. He will also now have his California pulled.
   It’s this simple… Meckler was illegally in possession of a handgun while conducting four days of business in New York City. The interstate transport provision of the FOPA requires that the firearm must be legal in both departure and arrival points of the travel. He didn’t meet this requirement so he has no recourse to Federal law.
   Meckler was caught LEAVING NY, he did not check his firearm in as required when he arrived in NY, got it?
   Then Meckler made the dumb mistake of sending off the above comments where he states “I’ve done this all across the country, more times than I can count”. Take a look at the Califonia CCW reciprocity map, see all the Red “no” states back east?
   Meckler broke the law when he brought the firearm INTO NY, he was in 100%, clear violation of NY guns laws while he was there from Dec. 11th to when he left.
   Meckler was in posession while in NY and was in violation of the law while doing so, regardless if he carried the firearm with him or not in NY.

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9. 

   D

   16 December 2011

   News update from The Union:
   Local law enforcement authorities have suspended the concealed-carry gun permit for Tea Party Patriot co-founder Mark Meckler in the wake of his arrest Thursday at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport.
   Meckler was arrested after he tried to check in for a Delta airlines flight with a locked box containing a Glock pistol and 19 units of 9mm ammunition. Meckler, who had been in New York since Sunday, allegedly told authorities that he carries the gun because he gets threats.
   The tea party leader has a California “carry concealed weapon” permit, but that does not allow him to carry a firearm in New York.
   Meckler declined to comment when reached by phone Friday.
   He was arraigned in New York on charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony that could carry up to 15 years in prison, and was released pending a Jan. 12 court date.
   Meckler obtained his permit from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, but Sheriff Keith Royal said it has been suspended pending resolution of his criminal proceedings.
   “In light of what happened in New York, we have suspended his license at this point in time,” Royal said. “We want to know what the outcome is of that criminal charge. If it’s … an honest mistake and no charges are furthered, in all likelihood, his license would be reinstated. If he is found to be in intentional violation of the law, there is a strong possibility he would not have it reissued. On its face, it looks like he was upfront.”

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10. 

    D

    16 December 2011

    Sorry Gregory, but your statement that “If Meckler had this in the trunk of a car passing through NY and NYC on his way somewhere else I believe he’d have a pass under Federal law, as long as he didn’t remove it from the locked box” has nothing to do with this.
    Meckler was not “passing through” NY. He arrived with his handgun on Dec. 11th and had it in his possession until he went to leave NY. That’s the violation of the NY gun laws in play.

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11. 

    George Rebane

    16 December 2011

    I support Greg’s 459pm and JohnG’ 514pm interpretation of the legal method of transporting firearms. And I agree with ToddJ’s 412pm endorsement that Mark should use this incident to illuminate the unreasonable fear that American governments (fed and state) have of law abiding citizens having possession of firearms in their jurisdictions.
    One of the common correlates of ALL governments on the way to autocracy is to first disarm their people – it is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the institution of tyranny.

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12. 

    Douglas Keachie

    16 December 2011

    Just a quick test. Signed in through WordPress.

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13. 

    John Galt

    16 December 2011

    It seems very curious that Sheriff Royal is so quick to pull the CCW permit of Mark Meckler.
    But it gives the good Sheriff yet another opportunity to get air time on KNCO which he so clearly relishes.

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14. 

    Gregory

    16 December 2011

    “D”, I didn’t say Meckler had a pass, however, he was making a grand tour of the country and may well have not opened the box. Right now we don’t know, and probably won’t know what any defense will be before it’s presented.
    I don’t know Meckler, have never attended a TP event and the unbridled schadenfreude by the local anti-TPP over this is more than a bit creepy.
    I take the suspending of his California CCW in the meantime as being SOP.

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15. 

    Gregory

    16 December 2011

    So, “D” is Steve Enos who is also Doug Keachie?
    Why am I not surprised?

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16. 

    Russ Steele

    16 December 2011

    It is time to make lemonade out of this unfortunate situation. This incident could become a 2nd Amendment rallying point. How does a traveler deal with the multiple state gun laws when traveling, when you can carry a gun in 23 states and not in the others. What does one do with the gun when traveling through a state like New York? We need to have more sane gun laws that apply across all states. Sheriffs across the nation are advising people to get a dog, an alarm and a gun as budgets are cut taking cops off the street. The police are not longer capable of protecting citizens, but the gun laws do not allow us to protect ourselves in all states. It is time for some real change.

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17. 

    D

    16 December 2011

    Hey Gregory, get a grip and read my 11:46 post above.
    The new login to post did not post my name and as soon as I saw that I posted again to make it clear and to tell George and George even posted a detailed response.
    I’m not Doug Keachie and “SURPRISE” back to you… try to at least read the posts before you make an off topic and 100% wrong personal attack post.

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18. 

    Gregory

    16 December 2011

    A “D” at 11:49 is signed Steve Enos, leading me (and others, I’m sure), wondering what D name Enos might be using. Then D Keachie signs in with a ‘test’.
    “Enos”, you’re a master of 100% wrong personal attack posts. So is “Keachie”.

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19. 

    Gregory

    16 December 2011

    And, “D”, you didn’t make an 11:46 post. Par for your course.

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20. 

    Douglas Keachie

    17 December 2011

    Well at least that makes clear who “Gregory” is. You could post an image and become a little bit more public.

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21. 

    Douglas Keachie

    17 December 2011

    Your are not surprised, Greg, because4 you are too paranoid, and we all blend together.

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22. 

    D

    17 December 2011

    Poor “Gregory”, seems someone is VERY paranoid. Did you read the above posts?
    Try again and read my 11:44 post and my 11:46 post right below it. Get a grip dude. LOL
    PS: thi spost will likley show it was posted by “D”, but the why is covered in the above posts. Seems under the new posting system here my posting ID comes up as “D” for some reason.
    Steve Enos (not Douglas Keachie)

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23. 

    John Galt

    17 December 2011

    I agree Russ.
    At the very least, there should be a standardized and practical means for individuals to transport their own firearms from one location to another.
    This is a great opportunity to make Lemonade: Mark Meckler is the ideal catalyst to bring about change in the gun laws. The timing is perfect, and there will be no shortage of legal and financial support for this legal battle.
    In the mean time, I think I’ll avoid flying to New York…or flying on Delta Airlines.

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24. 

    George Rebane

    17 December 2011

    SteveE – Everyone else’s name comes up correctly in their comments. I’d confirm that the service you use for sign in to TypePad is not one where you have labeled yourself as ‘D’, because that is the label that gets passed to TypePad for the attribution line of your comments. I would also try a different service to sign in and see what label gets picked up then. In any event, thank you for signing your comments until you get the attribution straightened out.

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25. 

    D

    17 December 2011

    “transport their own firearms from one location to another” is one thing, possessing a firearm in a place with increased firearm restrictions like NY is another thing.
    Transport is one thng, carry is another.
    If you have a California issued CCW permit it does not allow you to carry in other places that have no reciprocity with California.
    In the case of Meckler he wasn’t just passing through the airport, he went to NY and was there for four days, with the handgun, in violation of NY gun laws.

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26. 

    Todd Juvinall

    17 December 2011

    Depends on what the definition of “is” is. Sheesh!

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27. 

    John Galt

    17 December 2011

    Technically, we don’t know that Mr. Meckler had possession of the firearm in New York City other than at the airport….Okay that may be a stretch…but we certainly don’t know that Mr. Meckler was “carrying” a firearm on his person while in New York…to infer that would similarly be a stretch.
    This is not a CCW violation because Mr. Meckler was not “Carrying a Conceiled Weopon” …which is what CCW stands for.
    Transporting an unloaded firearm in a TSA certified case in compliance with Federal law does not require a CCW permit.
    Furthermore, the alleged violation pertains to NY City law, not NY State law.
    Which leads back to Russ’s point about making lemonaid.
    1) NY City laws can not trump the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.
    2) A simple practical solution for firearms is needed.
    3) This is a great opportunity to resolve/correct this NY City law (and others like it throughout the nation.

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28. 

    Douglas Keachie

    17 December 2011

    Technically we do not know that pot farmers with 1,000 plants are growing them for profit either.
    Technically the Tea Party has not run out of substantive workable stances on the economy, but running to create a side show on A2 does provide a good smoke screen.
    No infringements on the Technicolor© trademark have been intended here. This is a TSA certified safe commenting box.

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29. 

    John Galt

    17 December 2011

    A very tiny and dark box, filled with … I presume.
    I get the hint…you’re tired of the conversation…hence the deviation from the topic.
    Your free to move on.

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30. 

    Gregory

    17 December 2011

    “Paranoia is a thought process believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety or fear”
    LOL. No Keach, no anxiety or fear is involved, your name calling is for naught. You are famous for your uncounted (but certainly more than 20) sock puppets that you’ve conjured. We now also know that “Enos” has at least one online alter ego, “D”, and so also skulks around.
    “D” may well be a figment of his own imagination. You both have similar irrational debate styles; who’s to say you’re not the same person in either a physical or metaphysical sense. Has anyone here seen a “Doug Keachie” and this “D”/”Steve Enos” in the same place at the same time?
    You both also seem to be easily confused; here’s a guide:
    Carrying a concealed weapon: a loaded gun concealed on one’s person or vehicle, possibly with a round chambered and the hammer cocked, ready to fire.
    Legally transporting a weapon: an unloaded gun in a locked box meeting Federal specifications. Any ammo is completely separate from the gun.
    Meckler was not carrying a concealed weapon.

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31. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    Greg, I never called you a name. I merely made an observation about your condition, which at least one other reader here agreed with. We are not confused, or maybe you want to believe that the 1,000 plant pot grower just likes to see green growing things. He didn’t take the gun to NY just to carry it around in a box. What would be the point of doing so?
    Read the story m ore carefully next time: 19 “units” (of ammo) were stored in the same case as the gun.

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32. 

    John Galt

    18 December 2011

    It’s already established and acknowledged that the firearm and ammo were transported in compliance with Federal law.
    That law permits the firearm and ammo to be together in the locked TSA certified case. (Greg, I think you’re referring to transporting firearms that are not in cases….and in that instance, the ammo must be kept separate and distant….but that doesn’t apply in this situation.)
    For the record, New York City police did not find Mr. Meckler carrying a firearm on his person. There is no evidence that Mr. Meckler ever carried a concealed weapon in public within New York (City or State.)

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33. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    Here’s the details on what you can and can’t caryy, and N.B. the airlines themselves have their own regulations as well. From my reading of this the owner provides the box which has to me TSA specs and airline specs, but the owner has the key/combination, so I suppose he could have been walking around NY with the gun still in its case, and both together inside a briefcase or back pack. What do you think Mark’s best time is for getting the “transported” gun out and ready for use? I’d bet less than twenty seconds.

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34. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    Ooops, left out link: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

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35. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    New York City itself has more categories of gun possession and ownership than I care to wade through, but in a nutshell, the case Meckler needs to make is that he was in “continuous transit” through NYC. Clinton and the meaning of the word “is” comes to mind.

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36. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    Dang, brain left out link again: http://www.nraila.org/gunlaws/nyc.aspx

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37. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    Where Meckler will lose is the fact that he went straight from California to NYC, and then turned around and went back to California, or tried to. If he had another leg to his trip, he could have argued that NYC was not his “destination.” As it is, my guess is he is “predestined” to fail in his case. My guess is that the airline had rules concerning contacting NYPD, and that’s where he got tripped up. Was the airport in NYC? I don’t recall which one he was going to fly from. In any event, if NYC was his destination, it’s pretty obvious he was NOT in continuous transit, and thus in violation of NYC laws.

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38. 

    Gregory

    18 December 2011

    Yes, Keach, your brain leaves out links all the time. You’re an idiot. Now remember, that’s not namecalling, that’s just an honest mention of your condition.
    That goes for the other idiot, too.
    Now that we have that cleared up, since fear and anxiety has nothing to do with my hobby of blog sockspotting, it isn’t paranoia. The both of you are obviously socks, an unfortunate part of the fabricated blogosphere.

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39. 

    George Rebane

    18 December 2011

    As states’ rights (10th amendment) celebrant, I don’t want to diminish New York’s ability to legislate its own laws in concordance with the 2nd amendment. However, one of the litmus tests of government gone wrong is when the blind application of a law exposes an insane conclusion, view of, and response to otherwise civil behavior. When this happens, a wise government will quickly rule the case on its obvious merits, and immediately seek to remediate or remedy the faulty statute.
    Mark Meckler’s CCW arrest presents such a case. Now we shall again see how enlightened and progressive New York really is.

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40. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    “You’re an idiot”
    This is not name calling? Then what would you call it? Do notice the difference between paranoid, an adjective, and idiot, a noun. Names are nouns, adjectives are not. You excel in math, Greg, but apparently not so much in English.
    Some, including the new incoming leader of the Tea Party, are calling Mark’s TSA approved gun case a “suitcase.” I rather doubt that the dimensions of the “suitcase” are much bigger than the gun and cartridges, plus a couple of inches on all sides. Hardly what most people would call a “suitcase” and easily stashable inside a laptop bag or briefcase or backpack. I’ll bet Mark could get to it and have a loaded Glock in less than 20 seconds. NYC law which applies at La Guardia Airport, only allows for transport through NYC in continuous travel, and since NYC was his destination, he doesn’t get off on that defense.
    According to one report, that was a locked gun box, NOT a “suitcase.”
    Mark J. Meckler, 49, a California lawyer who co-founded the Tea Party Patriots, among the largest and most influential of the national Tea Party groups, was charged with possession of a concealed weapon in the second degree after he presented a locked gun box to a Delta Air Lines ticketing agent, according to a news release issued by the Queens district attorney’s office.

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41. 

    John Galt

    18 December 2011

    Mr. Keachie,
    You might not be familiar with the recent United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Parker v. District of Columbia, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court in the case District of Columbia v. Heller.
    Based on that, most assuredly, this New York CITY law will be revised to comply with the 2nd amendment and the above mentioned decisions….and Mr. Meckler’s will triumph.
    Where NY City law crosses the line, is that their law requires a permit in order to merely posses a firearm. (Reference: http://www.nraila.org/gunlaws/nyc.aspx )

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42. 

    D

    18 December 2011

    Poor Gregory… why can’t you grasp this?
    Read my 11:46 and 11:49 post above. Under the current/new/alternate login my ID shows as “D” for some reason when I post here. I am looking into this to get it changed. Until I do I sign my name in my post.
    As George and Russ and others here know… Doug Keachie is Doug Keachie, they all know who Doug is andd he uses his name when he posts here.
    I (Steve Enos)am not Doug Keachie and Georeg and Russ and others here (except you) know that too and I have always posted here under my name (less the current issues with the screwed up login system).
    So… “Gregory”… how about YOU come out of the bushes and post you full name? You see it’s YOU that is not providing your full name with your posts here. What do you have to hide?
    So how about it “Gregory”… post your last name and come out of the bushes.
    Steve Enos

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43. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    So, John, this is indeed a case of civil disobedience to test the law? Sounds like something the Left invented ages ago.
    D’Steverino, Greg has used his last name for many years now, I have no idea why he has change monikers in midstream.

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44. 

    Gregory

    18 December 2011

    Poor “D”, you really are an idiot, aren’t you? Even the other idiot has figured it out.

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45. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    John, your link includes a closing parens which renders it useless. If you go back about ten posts, you’ll find my link to the exact same site, that does work. If you read me carefully, you’ll discover I am not defending NYC gunlaws.

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46. 

    George Rebane

    18 December 2011

    Lest there be any lingering doubt, both Messrs Doug Keachie and Steve Enos are very real persons and residents of Nevada County. I have met them both on several occasions.

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47. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    Thanks Papa G. Geppetto! I always wanted to be a real boy 🙂

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48. 

    D

    18 December 2011

    So “Gregory” posted… “Poor “D”, you really are an idiot, aren’t you? Even the other idiot has figured it out”.
    Come on George… this is just more off topic, childish, insulting, personal BS. Just one of many by “Gregory” and you just let it go on and on and on.
    And who is “Gregory”? Can’t tell because he does not use he full name when posting his off topic insults.
    So “Gregory”, how about you provide your full name when posting here? Why hide and attack from behind the bushes?

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49. 

    D

    18 December 2011

    PLEASE NOTE: The above comment posted by “D” was posted by myself, Stev Enos. I’m still trying to get the login system I use here to use my correct/name ID when I post here.
    Steve Enos

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50. 

    Douglas Keachie

    18 December 2011

    Steve, contact me privately and I’ll tell you all about
    “Gregory.”

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